About Roy
Originally an industrial arts teacher from Pine River, Minnesota, Roy Hamari and his family moved to California in 1961. It was there in 1978 that he created his first woodcarving. It was a bear to be sold as a fundraiser in the mountain resort community of Bear Valley in the High Sierra. After wild bidding at the auction, orders for his work began to roll in. A few years later, he retired from his 25 years as a teacher to pursue passionately his new artistic career full time. He has since created hundreds of pieces for homes and businesses.
Roy enjoys the challenge of creating varied original works of art. They span from serious to humorous, realistic to abstract, some for indoors and some for eye-catching yard ornaments. He uses many different wood types from fine hardwoods to softer pines. His inspiration normally comes from his mind's eye, but he is often commissioned to do pieces from photographs. Although he uses a chainsaw for the initial rough cut, he mainly uses smaller tools to attain the detail and realism of his creations. He also does work in other mediums such as stone or bronze.
He has recently returned to Minnesota to spend spring and summer seasons in his home state where he still has family ties. He will most likely head for a warmer climate before winter sets in. Be sure to stop and look around his gallery to see his varied works. You can watch him work if you like. He is always glad to see you.